Çisem Kaço from Türkiye is the YES Student of the Month
By: Julencia Slamet (YES 2016-2017, Suriname, placed by AYUSA in Buckley, WA)
In October 2024, I had an incredible opportunity to participate in a two-week UNESCO Transcultura course in Havana. I received a scholarship to attend this program, which focused on small business design in heritage tourism destinations. It was a dream come true, and I owe a lot to the skills I learned in the YES program for helping me get this chance.
During the course, I gained so much knowledge. We studied sustainable business models, market analysis, and how to create cultural products that reflect a community’s heritage. I learned about branding and how to engage local people to make tourism projects successful. One of the most exciting parts was developing a mock business plan. I focused on sustainability and creating a positive impact for local communities.
The skills I learned in the YES program played a big role in this journey. Through YES, I practiced teamwork, leadership, and community service. These skills gave me the confidence to apply for the scholarship and the ability to participate fully in the course. I also learned how to manage projects and think creatively, which helped me develop my business plan in Cuba.
Now, I use what I’ve learned to improve my YES-related projects. I design initiatives that focus on sustainability and involve the local community, inspired by the ideas from the course.
This experience has taught me that when you combine knowledge, skills, and passion, you can make a real difference. The YES program gave me the foundation, and the UNESCO course showed me how to take it further. I’m excited to use these lessons to help my community grow while celebrating its unique heritage.